Former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Harrison is getting his first taste of NBA action in the Orlando Summer League, playing for the Charlotte Hornets’ squad. After going undrafted, the young guard has been eager to prove himself. In this particular case, perhaps he was a bit too eager. Watch Keith Benson, a second-round pick back in 2011, absolutely obliterate Harrison’s dunk attempt.

When you commit to Kentucky, sacrifices are to be made. While most top-10 recruits are used to putting up 20 shots a night for their high school team, they more than likely won’t even get half of that throughout their first year in Lexington. Aaron Harrison was one of those guys.

A dynamic 6-6 shooting guard from Houston, Harrison came into Lexington with a big rep and even bigger expectations. He was a guy who could bomb from NBA range, overpower smaller guards, and lock down defensively. While the numbers that he put up (nearly 14 ppg as a freshman, 11 as a sophomore) were solid, most felt that Aaron would have the type of season that would propel him into the Lottery. However, the impact that he had for the Wildcats went far beyond the numbers.

The game-winners in the NCAA title game run his freshman season. The task of putting the clamps on the opposing team’s best perimeter player on a nightly basis in 2015. Being a threat to shoot from anywhere, opening up the lane for penetrators to drive. All of these things didn’t show up in the box score, but were ways in which he impacted the game under Coach Cal. After the squad’s 38-0 run this season was ended by Wisconsin, he decided that his best move was to take his skills to the League.

We got up with Aaron in Lexington amidst a ridiculous schedule that consisted of finishing out the semester, countless appearances, and plenty of autograph signings. Throughout all of the traveling, he and his brother Andrew still made it to get in the gym every single day to work with Chicago based trainer Jeff Pagliocca of Evolution Athletics. What we saw with Aaron went far beyond the numbers.

The first thing that immediately stood out upon walking in the gym was Aaron’s size. Even though he’s 6-6 (adequate for a two-guard), he has a 215-pound frame that is nowhere near done filling out. He’s got the type of frame that would give you fits when he bodies you up coming off of screens. Additionally, the aforementioned strength that he owns had no problem translating into the drills, where he consistently finished at the rack through an abundance of contact. Not just a brute force who comes through in the clutch, the 20-year old has a few aspects of his game that he’s going to surprise NBA executives with during the workout process.

“You see him as a catch and shoot guy who hits big shots, but you get him up close and you see that he’s there physically,” Pagliocca explained to us after their hour and a half session. “He can put the ball on the floor a little bit. His footwork is strong, he can handle creative stuff, and can learn technical things quickly.”

The ability to adapt his game to circumstances will be crucial for Harrison, who will not be putting up as many shots as he did from the jump in the league compared to at Kentucky. While his range is effortless and in the workout he was simply en feugo (shot over 70 percent from NBA three), he will need to continue upon the shot selection that plagued him at times throughout his college career. With Pagliocca, he showed that he is a bit better off of the bounce than people gave him credit for and is developing the ability to create space for his own shot.

Placing a strong emphasis on footwork and pivoting, Jeff showed his pupil a few of the tricks that worked with NBA clients Patrick Beverley and Luol Deng, both of whom have had successful careers despite not being freak athletes. Things like this will be crucial for Harrison to create scoring opportunities in tight spaces, and he’s making strides in the right direction.

Footwork and shooting aside, Aaron showed off his deceptive bounce with a number of effortless dunks. He tested out with a 38-inch vertical at Kentucky’s pro day back in the fall and looks like may have even added an inch or two. The Houston Defenders AAU alum’s combination of size, D, and ability to stroke it from NBA range will get him on a roster. Toss in some of the intangibles and you see why there is the potential for much more.

“I think that their attitude is great. They both won me over right away after the first day there. They’re ultra-competitive,” Pagliocca admitted. “They listen, they make eye contact, professionalism, and maturity. I saw good kids that were willing to learn. Aaron is eager to learn.”

As long as NBA personnel see what this trainer to the pros did, Aaron Harrison should see his stock shoot up before draft day rolls around.

Kentucky is the premier pro factory in all of college basketball. That claim became even more true today, when the school’s top seven scorers—Aaron Harrison, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Andrew Harrison, Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles and Dakari Johnson—announced that they will leave school early and make the jump to the NBA. If all seven players are drafted, it will mark the first time that seven players from the same school were selected in the same Draft.

From ESPN:

The Kentucky Wildcats will lose their top seven scorers — Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson, Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison — to the NBA draft from the team that won 38 straight games before losing in the national semifinals.

Towns and Cauley-Stein are both considered lottery picks by NBA executives. Towns is likely to go either first or second overall along with Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor — who has yet to officially declare for the NBA draft.

…

The NBA draft is June 25.

The losses account for 85 percent of Kentucky’s scoring from this past season and 77 percent of its rebounding.

The loss of seven players leaves Kentucky with freshman point guard Tyler Ulis, veteran forward Alex Poythress and athletic forward Marcus Lee. Ulis should step into the starting role, Poythress will return after a season-ending torn ACL after just eight games but Lee’s role is up in the air with another strong recruiting class coming into Lexington.

On Saturday in Arlington, TX, inside a massive 80,000-seat stadium normally occupied by the Dallas Cowboys, four excellent basketball teams will compete in the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

They are nominally the best teams in the country right now. UConn, Florida, Kentucky and Wisconsin are the last men standing; they have survived a brutal single-elimination tournament and all the madness of March. They have played their best basketball when it matters most.

And now these four teams will compete for a shot at a national title, the biggest game on the NCAA’s grandest stage: Monday Night.

First we have No. 1 Florida versus No. 7 UConn—the muscular interior play and sturdy defense of the Gators against the quicksilver guards of the Huskies’ backcourt, the nation’s best. Then the nightcap: No. 2 Wisconsin versus No. 8 Kentucky, a matchup of two very different coaching styles—Kentucky and its NBA-ready freshmen, all the talent in the world, will look to slow down Wisconsin’s finely-tuned offensive machine.

We can expect the usual circus in North Texas.

There will be pageantry, net-cutting and a finely-rehearsed production. The media hordes will cover Arlington like a plague. There will be endless commercials during timeout breaks. In all likelihood there will be poor shooting –especially in the first halves—because it’s damn hard to shoot baskets in a drafty football arena when you’re accustomed to a gym.

That’s all fine, though. It’s just part of the experience, the exclamation point at the end of a marathon season. Might as well go out with a bang.

Yet beyond all the money and marketing, the Final Four is ultimately, and rightly, about the players involved. The coaches are great, to be sure, the public faces of the sport—but fans always remember the players.

Names are made here. Legacies are secured.

Who will be the man this year? Who’s going to score 30, or hit that legendary game-winning jumper? I have no idea, but I can’t wait to find out.

No. 1 Florida (36-2) vs No. 7 UConn (30-8)

AT&T Stadium, Saturday, 6:09 p.m. EST

How They Got Here

Top-seeded Florida was an odds-on favorite to reach the Final Four, and the Gators didn’t disappoint. They struggled to find their best form against Albany in the second round but still won easily, 67-55. They cruised by Pitt, a familiar rival, then bounced a very good UCLA team 79-68 in the Sweet 16, setting up a date with tournament darling Dayton. The 11-seeded Flyers had already knocked off Ohio State and Syracuse, so they didn’t fear Florida. But the Gators came to play. Center Patric Young controlled the block, point guard Scottie Wilbekin scored 23 points and the Gators knocked out the Flyers 62-52.

UConn’s run was much less predictable. The Huskies squeaked by St. Joseph’s in overtime, bested 2-seed Villanova 77-65, and defeated a very talented Iowa State squad in the Sweet 16. Last weekend UConn faced 4-seed Michigan State, a team many experts picked to win the whole thing. The Huskies had other ideas—slippery point guard Shabazz Napier cranked out 25 points, forward DeAndre Daniels went for 12 and 8, and Connecticut punched its ticket to the Final Four. The Huskies were 21-22 from the free throw stripe in that game, by the way.

Go-To Guys*

Florida

Patric Young – The 6-9, 240-pound senior is built like a piece of steel, with long arms and skills to boot. His size, experience and rebounding ability give Florida a big edge in the low post. Averaging 10.8 points and 6.2 boards per contest this season, Young has stepped up his game in the NCAA Tournament. Young’s looming presence on the low block last weekend helped Florida get past Dayton and into the Final Four.

Casey Prather – Another big-time forward in the Gators’ frontcourt, Prather is the team’s leading scorer at 13.8 ppg. Efficiency and high-percentage shots are Prather’s trademark—he’s shooting around 60 percent from the field this year.

Scottie Wilbekin – As Wilbekin goes, so go the Gators. The 6-2 senior runs the show on offense, averaging more than 13 points and 3.7 assists per game this season. He was brilliant against Dayton, running the floor, dissecting the Flyers’ defense. With sneaky handles and vision for miles, he’s the man to watch when the Gators have the ball.

UConn

Shabazz Napier – UConn’s senior point guard might be small in stature—6-1 (generously), 180 pounds—but nobody has a bigger heart. The Roxbury, MA, native has that tough city-style game—the silky dribbling skills, the lightning-quick drives to the rim, the range from deep. He can break down a defender one-on-one or hit the step-back jumper. With four years of college ball on his resume, he’s learned to draw fouls like nobody else in the tournament. And, probably most importantly, he can make all the right reads off the high ball screens that UConn runs so well, often finding his teammates with beautiful cross-court skip passes.

‘Bazz averages about 18 points per game, and he’s exploded over the past two weeks—24 against St. Joe’s, 25 against Villanova, 25 versus Michigan State on Sunday. Napier’s play has drawn comparisons to Kemba Walker’s incendiary performance in the 2011 tournament. He’s the leader of these Huskies, without a doubt. But can he follow in Kemba’s footsteps and bring a title back to Storrs? (For more on ‘Bazz, check out this great piece from SLAM’s Peter Walsh.)

DeAndre Daniels – A crucial piece of the Huskies’ lineup, Daniels provides some size and skill in the UConn frontcourt. He will have to keep pace with Florida’s talented bigs if UConn hopes to win Saturday. Daniels should be up to the task—the 6-9 junior has been terrific in this tournament. His best game was March 28 versus Iowa State, when he posted a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double.

What To Watch For

Florida is long, strong, fast and deep. They have a coach in Billy Donovan who knows how to win National Championships. It’s very hard to score on the Gators, and they have plenty of big bodies that can crash the boards.

But UConn is playing with an edge. Napier is all but unstoppable right now, the Huskies don’t miss free throws, and coach Kevin Ollie has this team swarming the ball on the defensive end of the floor. The backcourt matchups should be fascinating, especially the Wilbekin-Napier contest, a battle between two of the most competitive kids in the country.

This should be an excellent game between two experienced, well-coached clubs. My gut says Florida wins this thing; I think it’s the better team from top to bottom. If Shabazz gets going, though, and if UConn gets some additional scoring from Daniels, guard Ryan Boatright or 6-7 swingman Niels Giffey, the Huskies could very well pull off the “upset.”

One more juicy note: With an overall record of 36-2, Florida hasn’t dropped a game since Dec. 2—a 65-64 loss to UConn.

Bold Prediction: Florida 56, UConn 50

***

No. 2 Wisconsin (30-7) vs No. 8 Kentucky (28-10)

AT&T Stadium, Saturday, 8:49 p.m. EST

How They Got Here

Wisconsin’s road to the Final Four was a bumpy one. It struggled against a sharpshooting Oregon team in the third round (but rallied); stomped Baylor in one of the more impressive offensive showings of the entire Tournament; and beat Arizona 64-63 in the Elite Eight, in somewhat controversial fashion. Big Frank Kaminsky was brilliant against the Wildcats, scoring 28 points and tracking down 11 rebounds.

Kentucky, somehow, transformed itself over the last month or so. It became the team we all thought it would be at the beginning of the season, when the Wildcats were ranked No. 1 in the polls. Come NCAA Tournament time, Kentucky was ready to dispatch Kansas State, undefeated Wichita State and Louisville, the defending national champs. In the Elite Eight, young Aaron Harrison knocked down a three-pointer with just a few seconds left in the game to beat Michigan 75-72.

Go-To Guys*

Kentucky

Julius Randle – This young man is a future NBA lottery pick, and for good reason. The 6-9, 250-pound freshman is arguably the finest forward in the country, averaging 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game this season. He’s a one-and-done, an elite physical specimen, but it’s his skill set that sets Randle above the rest. Ball-handling, shooting, interior footwork, passing—he can do it all, with the strength and physicality of a pro.

It’s fun to watch him work on the block. He beats defenders with quick spins, short jumpers or simple hard work. And boy, does he crash the glass for those all-important rebounds.

If Randle’s game is on, good luck beating Kentucky.

Alex Poythress – On this team, sophomores are the old men on the roster. Poythress is 6-8, 239 pounds, and he will be a critical player as the Wildcats look to contain Wisconsin’s multi-talented big men. Poythress doesn’t score a ton of points, but his size, experience and rebounding skills will be much-needed in this game.

Aaron Harrison – A big (6-6), talented guard, Aaron is one-half of Kentucky’s vaunted Harrison twins combo. He’s been extremely clutch of late, hitting big shots when the Wildcats need them most. None was bigger than the last-second three-pointer he knocked down against Michigan, the shot over a defender’s outstretched hand that sent Kentucky to the Final Four. Harrison is a big-time scorer, playmaker and long-distance shooter. If Kentucky needs a bucket late, look for him to take the shot.

Wisconsin

Frank Kaminsky – With every big shot, the legend of “Frank the Tank” continues to grow. Earlier this season, I thought Kaminsky was merely a nice piece of Bo Ryan’s offense, while Sam Dekker or Ben Brust would be the real scoring threats. I did not foresee—who did?—the ascendance of Frank Kaminsky.

At 7-0, 234 pounds, averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 boards per game, Big Frank is a walking matchup problem. The junior is a stretch-5, if such a position actually exists. He shoots the three-ball with devastating accuracy, passes extremely well and commands double-teams on the low block. To watch him work in the post is to watch a man with nearly limitless options—up-and-under, drop step left or right, shot-fake-and-drive, jump hook, etc., etc. Kaminsky scored 28 points on Saturday against Arizona; he dropped 19 on Baylor in Sweet 16. When the big man is flowing, the Wisconsin offense is all but un-guardable.

Sam Dekker – Wisconsin’s second-most dangerous player has been a little quiet in the Tournament, but don’t let his numbers fool you. Dekker is a tall, versatile forward with a surplus of skill; a guy who can stretch the floor or finish near the rim. He’s only scored 7 points in his last two games, largely deferring to Kaminsky and others, but he’s due for an offensive explosion.

Traevon Jackson – Perhaps the most important player on this Badgers team, Jackson is Wisconsin’s only true ball-handling guard, and he makes the offense go. Turnovers just aren’t his thing—he’s always in control, finding the open man, initiating Bo Ryan’s intricate sets. The savvy junior is a clutch late-game scorer, but he’s most effective spearheading the offense and getting his shooters good looks at the rim.

What To Watch For

Two very different coaches with very different philosophies will square off in North Texas. John Calipari is the one-and-done guy, the master recruiter who hordes All-Americans and wins National Championships with them. His teams are always long on talent and short on experience, and this year’s Kentucky squad is no exception.

Bo Ryan is all about the Wisconsin system, the ongoing development of a player from freshman to sophomore to junior. Most of his kids aren’t going to the NBA, and that’s fine with Bo. They stick around for three or four years and, like Frank Kaminsky, sometimes develop into a special kind of player.

Stylistically, Kentucky leans on its superior athleticism, its ability to break down defenders and its rebounding. Randle is a beast. Wisconsin plays pretty good defense, no doubt, but it’s the offensive end where the Badgers really shine. They’re an excellent passing team, good screeners, deadly with the shot fake. Kaminsky toys with defenders.

My questions for this game: Can Wisconsin defend the powerful Wildcats, particularly Randle and the Harrisons? And can Kentucky find any solution for Kaminsky and Badgers’ offense?

It’s not often that college basketball has its marquee night during the season’s first week, but due to State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago, four of the top five teams in America will play tonight. No. 1 Kentucky (2-0) will take on No. 2 Michigan State (1-0) at 7:30 p.m., followed by No. 4 Duke (1-0) vs. No. 5 Kansas (1-0) at 9:30 p.m.

The first matchup will be the first time February 24, 2008, when No. 2 Tennessee defeated No. 1 Memphis, who was ironically coached by Kentucky head man John Calipari, 66-62. The two teams haven’t played since 2005, when Michigan State knocked Kentucky out of the NCAA Tournament, 94-88 in two overtimes.

Beyond the fact that John Calipari vs. Tom Izzo could be college basketball’s best coaching matchup this year, it’s quite possible that we’re seeing several future NBA All-Stars in this game. Michigan State’s Adreian Payne and Gary Harris will almost certainly play in the League next year, while Kentucky has its usual bevy of freshmen NBA prospects, headlined by potential top-three pick Julius Randle, James Young, Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison.

Both teams have been dominant so far this season. Kentucky has trounced UNC-Asheville and Northern Kentucky, 89-57 and 93-63, respectively. The Wildcats are led by Randle, who has been a monster this year, averaging a team-high 22.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. As for the Spartans, they looked fantastic in their matchup with McNeese State, winning 98-56 behind 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists from Harris.

The night’s second game features another marquee coaching matchup, with Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski facing off against Kansas’s Bill Self. However, all eyes are on the matchup between two freshmen who have been both labeled as (possibly) the next LeBron James—Duke’s Jabari Parker and Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins.

Parker, a 6-8 forward from Chicago, shined in Duke’s 111-77 obliteration of Davidson on Friday night, putting up 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 80 percent shooting for the Blue Devils. Wiggins, a 6-7 guard from Ontario, wasn’t as impressive in the Jayhawks’ 80-63 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, but he did put up a very respectable 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

The two teams haven’t played since November 23, 2011 at the Maui Invitational. Duke, led by 17 points from both Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee, overcame a double-double from Thomas Robinson to defeat the Jayhawks, 68-61.

Tonight will almost certainly shape the course of the rest of the college basketball season, and could possibly have an impact on the 2014 NBA Draft. Get ready, because tonight is one of college basketball’s biggest regular-season nights of all time.

It goes without saying that this class is the deepest in a long time—to most, the best since 2007. The basketball world seems to already be looking forward to the 2014 NBA Draft more than this year’s. Canada should have a lot to be proud of with this class, as Tyler Ennis and Xavier Rathan-Mayes will have an immediate impact on their respective collegiate teams, just as much as Andrew Wiggins will.

Overall, one player who really needs to be acknowledged is Joel Embiid. He has transformed from an unranked, unknown prospect into one of the nation’s premier centers. He’s only been playing basketball for about a year-and-a-half, and although his offensive game is still on the raw side, he’s shown that he can protect the rim with the best of them.

One player that you’ll see on this list who has been booted from most others is Aquille Carr. Truth be told, it baffles me why the “others” have bumped him out of their rankings. Something tells me that folks are judging him based on his legal troubles instead of his on-court production. I mean, it has to be. Why else would someone who averaged about 30 points and 6 assists this past season somehow not be worthy of a ranking spot? How many guys of his size do you know who can put up those numbers? Of any size, for that matter. And he’s done it against the cream of the crop, including a game-high 24-point outing against Andrew Wiggins’ Huntington Prep. All I’m saying is it doesn’t add up to me. It’s funny though, because when Lance Stephenson got in trouble back in HS, his name also dropped in the rankings. But he was 6-5, so they obviously couldn’t just simply wipe him off the list. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I do think it’s safe to say that we’re all rooting for Aquille here in his future overseas endeavors.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Back to these rankings. Kentucky is obviously the most well represented in here with six of the top 18 prospects. But Kansas isn’t too far behind—they have five out of the top 41 players, including the most sought-out in Wiggins. Duke and Memphis are also well represented with the Blue Devils having three out of the top 36, while the Tigers feature three out of the top 42. All in all, if you’re a college basketball fan, then you have a whole lot to be excited for come fall.

RANK

PLAYER

HEIGHT

POSITION

SCHOOL

COLLEGE

WHY?

1

Andrew Wiggins

6-8

SF

Huntington Prep (WV)

Kansas

His athleticism is just too much for opponents to keep up with.

2

Jabari Parker

6-8

SF

Simeon (IL)

Duke

Skill sets beyond his years.

3

Julius Randle

6-9

PF

Prestonwood (TX)

Kentucky

Beast-mode when attacking the rim.

4

Andrew Harrison

6-5

PG

Travis (TX)

Kentucky

Great tempo and pace as court leader.

5

Aaron Gordon

6-9

PF

Archbishop Mitty (CA)

Arizona

High-flyer whose game continues to expand.

6

Aaron Harrison

6-5

SG

Travis (TX)

Kentucky

A pure natural scorer.

7

Noah Vonleh

6-8

PF

New Hampton (NH)

Indiana

Versatile big with lots of upside. Can play multiple positions.

8

James Young

6-6

SF

Rochester (MI)

Kentucky

Strong and explosive wing who can finish above the rim or from distance.

9

Chris Walker

6-10

PF

Holmes County (FL)

Florida

Great athlete who loves playing above the rim.

10

Kasey Hill

6-1

PG

Montverde (FL)

Florida

Quick guard who loves working off the dribble.

11

Wayne Selden

6-5

SG

Tilton (NH)

Kansas

Explosiveness, speed and hops.

12

Dakari Johnson

6-10

C

Montverde (FL)

Kentucky

When he’s on it, very tough to stop in the paint.

13

Jarell Martin

6-8

PF

Madison Prep (LA)

LSU

Athletic forward who still has much upside.

14

Bobby Portis

6-10

PF

Hall (AR)

Arkansas

Although he gets most of his work in the paint, he can step out and be a threat with range.

15

Austin Nichols

6-8

PF

Briarcrest Christian (TN)

Memphis

Post moves and mid-range jumpers all-day.

16

Isaiah Hicks

6-8

PF

Webb (NC)

North Carolina

His explosiveness makes him tough to stop in the lane.

17

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

6-7

SF

Chester (PA)

Arizona

Lefty forward whose athleticism gives him an edge on most opponents, but can also create for others.

18

Marcus Lee

6-9

PF

Deer Valley (CA)

Kentucky

Stands out as a rebounder and shot-blocker.

19

Rysheed Jordan

6-3

PG

Robert Vaux (PA)

St. John’s

Explosive guard who gets to the rim in a hurry.

20

Isaac Hamilton

6-5

SG

St. John Bosco (CA)

UTEP

Shooter who also possesses some PG skills.

21

Zak Irvin

6-6

SF

Hamilton Southeastern (IN)

Michigan

Wing who drastically improved over the last year; can sink it from distance, or put the ball on the floor and make his way to the rim.

22

Anthony Barber

6-2

PG

Hampton (VA)

South Carolina

Highly crafty guard with a seemingly natural feel for the game.

23

Jabari Bird

6-6

SG

Salesian (CA)

California

Explosive wing with impressive finishes at the basket—and can shoot it too.

24

Jermaine Lawrence

6-9

PF

Pope John XXII (NJ)

Cincinnati

Multifaceted big man.

25

Nigel Williams-Goss

6-3

PG

Findlay (NV)

Washington

Very efficient on both ends of the floor. Plays smart.

26

Joel Embiid

7-0

C

Rock School (FL)

Kansas

Started at the bottom, now he’s one of the top-ranked centers in the nation.

27

Kuran Iverson

6-8

SF

Fishburne (VA)

Memphis

Pure scorer, streaky shooter.

28

Demetrius Jackson

6-1

PG

Marian (IN)

Notre Dame

The type of PG they will love at South Bend.

29

Robert Hubbs

6-5

SG

Dyer County (TN)

Tennessee

High-flying, crowd-pleasing athlete.

30

Tyler Ennis

6-2

PG

St. Benedict’s (NJ)

Syracuse

Canadian native whose floor-leading skills can create for himself and others.

31

JaJuan Johnson

6-5

SG

Southwinnd (TN)

Marquette

Averaged over 20 ppg, won 3A Tourney MVP after state championship.

32

Keith Frazier

6-5

SG

Kimball (TX)

SMU

Good shooter with deep range.

33

Derrick Walton

6-0

PG

Chandler Park (MI)

Michigan

Your ideal savvy point guard with range.

34

Matt Jones

6-4

SG

DeSoto (TX)

Duke

All you need to remember is the he can shoot it.

35

Tyler Roberson

6-7

PF

Roselle (NJ)

Syracuse

Active defender who can score inside or out.

36

Semi Ojeleye

6-6

SF

Ottawa (KS)

Duke

A tough and strong wing who has deep range.

37

Xavier Rathan-Mayes

6-6

SF

DeSoto (TX)

Florida State

Great offensive talent.

38

Brannen Greene

6-6

SG

Tift (GA)

Kansas

Shooter who can also take it to the hole.

39

Eric Mika

6-9

C

Lone Peak (UT)

BYU

Very efficient on both ends of the floor.

40

Jordan Mickey

6-8

PF

Prime Prep (TX)

LSU

Can contribute differently every night: on the boards, the paint or from mid-range.

41

Conner Frankamp

6-0

PG

Wichita North (KS)

Kansas

One of the nation’s top scorers, shooters.

42

Nick King

6-6

SF

East (TN)

Memphis

Lefty wing who does a little bit of everything.

43

Sindarius Thornwell

6-5

SG

Oak Hill (VA)

South Carolina

Versatility that allows him to succeed at both guard positions.

44

Deonte Burton

6-4

SF

Vincent (WI)

Marquette

Lefty wing with impressive athleticism.

45

Zach LaVine

6-3

PG

Bothell (WA)

UCLA

Can score but also distribute.

46

Anton Gill

6-3

SG

Hargrave Military (VA)

Louisville

Versatile scorer who also takes care of business on the defensive end.

47

Roddy Peters

6-4

PG

Suitland (MD)

Maryland

Great at breaking down the defense and creating room.

48

Troy Williams

6-7

SF

Oak Hill (VA)

Indiana

Slick forward who uses his athleticism and explosiveness to his advantage.

49

Brandon Austin

6-6

SF

Imhotep Institute (PA)

Providence

Can handle the ball and out at the guard positions.

50

Duane Wilson

6-3

PG

Dominican (WI)

Marquette

Athletic scoring guard that also find the open man.

51

Matt Thomas

6-3

SG

Onalaska (WI)

Iowa State

Can hit the J from all distances.

52

Devin Williams

6-8

PF

Montverde (FL)

West Virginia

His game stretches out to a few feet away from the perimeter offensive and is just as effective crashing the boards.

53

Moses Kingsley

6-9

C

Huntington Prep (WV)

Arkansas

Most impressive past is his upside.

54

Christian Wood

6-10

PF

Findlay (NV)

UNLV

Impressive shooter whose game extends well beyond the perimeter.

55

Ishmail Wainright

6-6

SF

Montrose Christian (MD)

Baylor

Unselfish forward known for being a facilitator and great defender.

56

Kennedy Meeks

6-9

C

West Charlotte (NC)

North Carolina

Defenders got their work cut for them in the paint with him.

57

Johnathan Williams

6-8

PF

Southwind (TN)

Missouri

Forward who can handle the ball and make plays for teammates.

58

Kendrick Nunn

6-2

SG

Simeon (IL)

Illinois

Versatile guard who can play either the 1 or the 2 position.

59

Beejay Anya

6-9

C

DeMatha (MD)

North Carolina State

Has the tools to become a dominant big man.

60

Kendall Stephens

6-5

SG

St. Charles East (IL)

Purdue

Possesses great length as well as range.

61

Luke Fischer

6-9

C

Germantown (WI)

Indiana

Wisconsin POY after doing 21 ppg, 9.4 rpg.

62

Malcolm Hill

6-6

SG

Belleville (IL)

Illinois

Averaged 25.3 points and 6.1 rebounds.

63

Marc Loving

6-8

SF

Saint John’s (OH)

Ohio State

Mr. Basketball for Ohio; range beyond perimeter.

64

Nick Emery

6-2

PG

Lone Peak (UT)

BYU

A natural scorer with a deadly jumper.

65

Kameron Williams

6-3

SG

Mount Saint Joseph (MD)

Ohio State

Loves to shoot it and can sink in all types of situations.

66

Aquille Carr

5-7

PG

Princeton Day (NJ)

Overseas

Explosive guard with fearless instincts.

67

Stevie Clark

5-9

PG

Douglass (OK)

Oklahoma State

Just like Aquille, another under-six feet guard who’s a fearless competitor.

68

Reggie Cameron

6-7

PF

Hudson Catholic (NJ)

Georgetown

Deadly jumper.

69

Jimmie Taylor

6-10

PF

Greensboro (AL)

Alabama

Known for his shot-blocking abilities, but can also do damage in the post.

70

Karviar Shepherd

6-9

C

Prime Prep (TX)

TCU

The paint is where he controls.

71

Jordan Bell

6-7

PF

Long Beach Polytechnic (CA)

Oregon

Although still raw offensively, he gets it done on the glass and contesting shots.

72

John Egbunu

6-10

C

Fort Walton Beach (FL)

South Florida

Despite visibly talented, loads of upside is what makes him an interesting prospect.

Our annual mid-April HS All-American photo shoot is always one of the more exciting shoots we get to do every year. But this one was special. See, the guys you see in the photo above and in the gallery below (scroll through it!) collectively have expectations that are way higher than those in any of the All-American classes we’ve had in recent memory. All are projected to be top 10 picks in next year’s NBA Draft. This has even been referred to as the best prep class since 2007—which featured the likes of Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and James Harden—and next year’s Draft class has already been projected by many to be the most talented since the 2003 LBJ/D-Wade/Melo-led group. Ultimately, the group shot above has the chance to be a classic one somewhere down the road.

These guys don’t need any introduction, since by now you’ve more than likely already heard their names or seen their highlight mixtapes. Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins have dealt with King James-type hype over the course of the last two seasons. Aaron Gordon’s off-the-charts athleticism has already anointed him as the second-coming of Blake Griffin. Meanwhile, the Harrison twins have garnered attention for their superior guard skills and many believe they are the next great guards coming up the pipeline. And then there’s Julius Randle, who has proven to embody college-ready (or possibly even pro-ready) physique for the last few years. And when you click over to the second page of this post, you’ll see that the second team, third team, and honorable mentions have the potential to be just as special. We can’t wait for these studs take the floor for their respective collegiate teams in the fall—congrats to all of them!

Also, shout out to the Jordan Brand for their help with the shoot, providing the sick kicks on display and all they do off-court, and also big ups to Shirts & Skins for the dope SLAM unis they put together once again!

Andrew and Aaron Harrison were the two most sought after guard recruits in the 2013 class and their announcement generated quite the buzz. The above video, courtesy of High School Hopefuls, gives an in-depth look into the SLAM High School Diarists’ big day. Featuring a healthy dose of friends and families, it looks as if the kids have a great circle of people around them who will be there for them as their young careers begin to take off. Best of luck to Andrew and Aaron!

Each year, the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (POY) Award recognizes the nation’s top male and female player who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership, and embodies the values of being a student-athlete in both schoolwork and community affairs. Previous award winners include Shane Battier (1997), Jay Williams (1999), Candace Parker (2004) and Austin Rivers (2011), among others.

Player of the Year Winners will be announced on Monday, March 18. A special event will be held at the nation’s largest Ronald McDonald House in Chicago to honor our winners. As a reminder, the 2013 McDonald’s All American Games will tip-off on Wednesday, April 3 from Chicago’s United Center, with net proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Jordan Brand announced the complete East and West rosters for the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic today. Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, SLAM HS Diarists Andrew and Aaron Harrison and 18 more of the nation’s top prospects will be at the Barclays Center as the JBC heads to Brooklyn on April 13.

BROOKLYN (Feb. 12, 2013) – Today, Jordan Brand announced its star-filled roster for the 12th Annual Jordan Brand Classic, taking place on April 13 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Following in the footsteps of current Jordan athletes and former Jordan Brand Classic alumn Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and recently signed Blake Griffin, the next generation of superstar talent will take the floor in a nationally-televised game live on ESPN2.

The Jordan Brand Classic event will also include a Regional Game, showcasing the top prep players from the New York metropolitan area in a “City vs. Suburbs” showdown, and the sixth annual International Game featuring the top 16-and-under players from around the world.

The tripleheader will begin with the International Game at 3:30 PM followed by the Regional Game at 5:30 PM, and the All-American Game at 8:00 PM. The International and regional rosters will be announced at a later date.

“This year’s roster could be one of the most talented in the 12 years of the Jordan Brand Classic – even with an alumni list that has become the who’s who of basketball,” said Larry Miller, President of Jordan Brand. “The event will be an incredible showcase of talent reaching millions of people around the world through ESPN2 and in person at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.”

Tickets for the Jordan Brand Classic are now on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, online at BarclaysCenter.com and ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information, visit the official web site, www.JordanBrandClassic.com or follow the JBC on Twitter @JordanClassic.

As if last week’s commitments from the Harrison twins weren’t of enough joy for Wildcat fans, Kentucky got another pledge from a highly-touted recruit this afternoon. James Young, a 6-6 wing ranked among the top 10 in the nation, announced today that he will be heading to Lexington next fall. With many rumors swirling that Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins could possibly also be joining the Blue Nation, there are talks already of Kentucky’s upcoming recruiting class being their greatest ever. Dynasty? From CBS Sports: “Another week, another top-10 prospect makes his college decision on national television – and yet another elite player chooses Kentucky. One week after John Calipari’s Wildcats landed top-five twins Andrew and Aaron Harrison, small forward James Young made his announcement. To no one’s surprise, the No. 7-ranked prospect in the class of 2013 picked Kentucky. “I will be headed to the University of Kentucky,” Young said, pulling out a Kentucky shirt. Young, a 6-foot-6 scoring swingman from Rochester (Mich.), also had Michigan State, Syracuse and Kansas in his final four. However, Kentucky had been the heavy favorite in Young’s recruitment since the Wildcats made a serious move on him in the spring. “I love their offensive system,” Young told CBSSports.com over the summer. “[John] Calipari is a good coach. I like the way they play offense and defense; they get up and down the floor. It’s a good educational school, too.” It really was only a matter of time before Young made it official. “I watched them growing up,” Young said at the time. “They like to win, and that’s something I like to do. I just always liked Kentucky.”

Months of speculation ended this afternoon when the top-ranked point guard in the nation, Andrew Harrison, and top-ranked shooting guard, twin brother Aaron, announced their intentions to play for Kentucky next fall. Kentucky seems to be on its way to having the no. 1 recruiting class for the fifth straight year. Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins to follow? From CBS Sports: “The Kentucky luster is stronger than ever. Maryland had essentially everything going for it when it came to Andrew and Aaron Harrison. There was the six-year relationship head coach Mark Turgeon had with the family. There was the friendship Aaron Harrison Sr. had with assistant coach Bino Ranson, and the friendship the twins have with incoming Maryland freshman Shaq Cleare. The twins’ grandparents live in Baltimore. And of course, Under Armour. Kentucky had John Calipari. And Calipari doesn’t lose. In the end, that’s all the Wildcats needed. The twins pledged to Kentucky on Thursday afternoon, choosing the Wildcats over Maryland. It could jumpstart yet another No. 1 class for Calipari.”

Andrew and Aaron Harrison, twin brothers and consensus top-5 recruits in the class of 2013, will announce their college decision this Thursday at 5 p.m. EST on ESPNU. The current SLAM diarists will choose between the University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland, both of which appear to be neck-and-neck in their pursuit.

Aaron Harrison Sr. is scheduled to meet with Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon on Wednesday. Turgeon has been close with the Harrisons for years, tying back to his days as coach of Texas A&M. The family’s strong ties with Turgeon, along with Maryland’s storied basketball tradition and the “Under Armour factor” make the Terrapins a legitimate candidate to land their services.

On the other side of the ballot is the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach John Calipari, who has established himself as a coach that will put his players in the best position to succeed—not only while on campus, but also with regards to NBA Draft positioning and building a professional career.

The Harrisons both stand at roughly 6-5, 210 pounds, with strong ball handling skills, pure jumpshots and tremendous athleticism. While Andrew is more widely recognized as a point guard and Aaron as a shooting guard, both can initiate offense and are dynamic playmakers.

Wherever they commit, Andrew and Aaron will make for a supremely talented college backcourt. As juniors, they led Travis High School (TX) to a 33-3 season, including an appearance in the state championship. Their decision should turn the tide in college basketball, as the school they choose will likely have the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the country.

After breaking down the top HS seniors, juniors and sophomores throughout the country earlier this month in our annual pre-season rankings, it’s only right that we follow up with a galleries showcasing the top-10 players for the each of the classes 2013, 2014 and 2015. As you’ll see above, many of these rising stars are athletically gifted, with college or even pro-ready physiques. This senior class features many high flyers, including Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Kasey Hill and Chris Walker. Most importantly, they’re all one season away from joining the nation’s top collegiate programs and taking over March Madness… and eventually the League, for some. In the meantime, you can read all about these guys in our monthly print issues or on SLAMonline.com. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to catch a live game now before it gets really expensive to watch them play!

Last Saturday, the top high school talent from across the country gathered in New York City to take part in the Big Strick Classic. A handful of the nation’s best rising juniors and seniors represented Team USA, while the tri-state area’s elite put on for Team NYC. After 40 minutes of intense, refuse-to-lose basketball, USA avenged last year’s defeat with a hard-fought 87-86 victory. Above are several snapshots from the weekend that was, including pics of Troy Williams, Chris McCullough, SLAM Diarists Andrew and Aaron Harrison, the storied Lenny Cooke, retired NBA center Dale Davis and much more. If you missed the game, be sure to check out our extensive recap.

The second annualBig Strick Classic (formerly the Franchise Classic) was once again a highly competitive, star-studded event, showcasing some of the best high school basketball talent in the country.

The hoops-filled weekend in the Mecca of basketball, New York City, pitted some of the nation’s best recruits—Team USA—against the best players from the tri-state area—Team NYC. Like last year, New York came out firing on all cylinders, making it clear they could stack up against the very best, regardless of the all the hoopla and lofty labels assigned to their opponents. And like last year, the game came down to the final seconds, but this time it was Team USA who prevailed, completing a hard-fought comeback to escape with an 87-86 victory.

Organized by Left Hand Right Hand, LLC, the game was dedicated in memory of its namesake, the late John “Franchise” Strickland. A streetball legend in New York City, Strickland died in his sleep at the too-young age of 38 in October of 2010. He played college ball at Pacific University, and spent six seasons in the USBL, but Strickland’s legacy was made on the unforgiving courts of New York City. Strick coined the phrase “finish your breakfast,” reminding us that no move—no matter how beautiful—is complete unless you convert the shot. A childhood friend of Jay Z, Jigga pays respects to Strickland in the song Public Service Announcement, rapping “My homie Strick told me dude finish your breakfast, So that’s what I’ma do…”

The players first gathered last Friday afternoon at Gauchos Gym in the Bronx. Led by Coach Sam Clark of UnderDogs Training and Coach Christian “Pop” Popoola of PremierBall.com, the players worked through a series of drills—some relatively easy, others grueling and taxing; dribbling around cones, running through a flat-rung agility ladder, game-situation one-on-ones, box-out drills, and learning how to work and finish through contact using Coach Pop’s E.A.T. Battle Pads. Almost all of the players said they learned, and gained, something from Sam and Pop’s instruction.

After a few hours of workouts, the teams had their first lick at each other in a 20-minute scrimmage. Almost instantly, it was evident that neither team bought into the “all-star” title of the event. Pride, reputations, alpha dog status and self-assessment were to be fought for. Lincoln (NY) High School’s Isaiah Whitehead ignited the competitive flame, getting into it with SLAM diarist Andrew Harrison, going shot-for-shot until the two got overly physical and had to be separated. After all, it was only a scrimmage! The dunk-filled, ultra-competitive, all-transition-everything practice run was a perfect precursor to Saturday’s dogfight.

Big Strick Classic

Team USA defeats Team NYC, 87-86

Co-MVPs:

USA— Robert Hubbs, Khadeem Lattin

NYC— Kuran Iverson, Chris McCullough

Despite the slew of last-minute cancellations (Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Barber, Noah Vonleh, Emmanuel Mudiay, a few others), almost all caused by travel complications, and despite the relatively low-scoring game (last year’s event boasted a 146-138 tally), the game was filled with energy and excitement, and saturated with talent.

Nat Holman Gymnasium at City College was near capacity for the show. Prior to tip-off, 16-year NBA veteran Dale Davis addressed the crowd and the players, stressing the importance of staying disciplined and focused, and that there is more to life than basketball. “Make sure you get an education, because less than one percent of all college athletes play professionally,” Davis said.

Co-MVP Kuran Iverson (21 points) started things off for Team NYC with a put-back dunk, but USA’s Troy Williams (10 points) delivered a swift rebuttal, throwing down a vicious slam of his own. However, Iverson, Isaiah Whitehead (10 points), Chris McCullough (13 points) and Jermaine Lawrence (10 points) helped NYC take a 28-20 lead heading into the second quarter.

Team USA gained some ground in the second, but NYC point guard Dayshon Smith (6 points) hit a few shots to maintain the lead and give NYC a 43-36 edge heading into the half.

The second half started out with more of the same—NYC slowly deflating their opponent. Iverson and Co. played sound defense, blocking shots and running out on the break. The lead ballooned to as much as 13, but once again, USA turned it up at the end of the quarter to trim the deficit, and trailed 69-67 heading into the fourth.

In the final frame, USA’s stars found their light switch and began to shine. Led by Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Troy Williams, and Robert Hubbs, USA got into a Wait, we might actually lose this game? Nah mindset and began to play with a sense of urgency. Andrew Harrison (14 points) went on a one-man scoring tirade, relentlessly attacking the basket, starting and finishing one-man fast breaks and playing suffocating defense to help his team stay within striking distance, and eventually, take the lead.

With under a minute remaining and USA up 87-86, the freakishly athletic McCullough was met in mid-air by two defenders, and contorted his body in hopes of a reverse layup that ultimately came up short. It seemed like the game was in the bags then, but after Andrew missed the front-end of a 1-and-1, NYC had one last chance. Dayshon Smith received the half-court pass and went up for a seemingly wide-open layup. But the operative word in the previous sentence was seemingly; out of nowhere, 6-9 forward Jordan Mickey flew into the picture and swatted down Smith’s game-winning shot attempt.

87-86, USA. Game over.

Scouting Report: Notable Players

Team USA

Andrew Harrison (Richmond, TX/Travis HS)

2013, PG, 6-5, 210

Andrew showed why most scouts consider him the nation’s top point guard. He has great size and strength for his position, pounds the rock with both hands, can shoot out to NBA range, and can finish through contact better than any high school guard I’ve seen. Add in a strong motor and solid defensive instincts, and you’ve got one scary prospect. Both him and his brother Aaron have an alpha dog approach that accentuates their skill set, as they are always ready to take, and make, the big shot.

Andrew didn’t have his best game by any means—he struggled mightily shooting the ball in the first half—but even with a relatively underwhelming performance, he was still the best guard on the court by a wide margin, and that speaks for itself.

Aaron Harrison (Richmond, TX/Travis HS)

2013, SG, 6-5, 205

Aaron and Andrew are literally identical in looks and body type. Aaron is also physically ahead of his competition and has a solid handle, but his jumpshot is what separates him from other prospects. He’s one of those guys that will start every game will a few heat-checks from behind the arc, and even if he’s off at the onset, the shots will eventually start to fall, and then it’s a wrap. The Harrison Twins will be one of most exciting college backcourts in America in the fall of 2013.

Troy Williams (Hampton, VA/Oak Hill Academy)

2013, SF, 6-6, 190

In my opinion, there isn’t a more exciting prospect in America than Troy Williams (peep the tape above). The nephew of legendary AAU coach Boo Williams—who coached/mentored Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, among countless others—Williams is a lanky prospect who is fast in transition and, quite simply, can fly. On multiple occasions, in both the scrimmage and the game, Williams received the ball at half court, found a crease in the lane and then just took off. He can pull-up on a dime, has perfected a step-back jumper, rebounds exceptionally well for a perimeter player and has a remarkable nose for the ball. Williams is one of those go up and get it types of guys, with a trampoline bounce and a captivating flair to his game. With offers from Kentucky and UNC already in his possession, Troy will take his talents to Oak Hill Academy for his senior season, where he’ll team up with Nate Britt and Sindarius Thornwell to form one of the nation’s most dangerous, and exciting, teams. If he plays in an up-tempo offense, the sky is the limit for Troy Williams.

Robert Hubbs (Newbern, TN/Dyer County HS)

2013, SG, 6-5, 180

There were more hyped recruits at the Big Strick Classic, but if there’s one guy you should get to know, it’s Robert Hubbs. Hubbs is only 16 years old and already has the makings of a future pro. While most prospects excel at a particular skill, Hubbs is the complete package at the shooting guard position. He has long arms to compliment a solid 6-5 frame, can shoot out to NBA range with an effortless flick of his wrist, and can isolate on his man with the best of them. Hubbs scored 18 points in the game, but did so playing entirely within the offense, making astute decisions, knowing when to shoot and when to pass. He has a quick first step (peep the tape above) and is crafty when airborne. Hubbs is a fast-rising commodity, as he already has offers from schools such as Duke, Memphis, Florida, Vanderbilt and several others. He’s one of those guys that college coaches will love because he understands how to maximize each possession while playing within the constraints of an offense.

Jordan Mickey (Arlington, TX/Grace Prepatory Academy)

2013, PF, 6-7, 210

Mickey may be a little undersized for his position, but what he lacks in height he makes up in elite athleticism. He needs to add strength and develop a face-up game to effectively use his quickness and agility, but those things should come with time. Mickey is a good rebounder, has a tireless motor, uses his bounce well in transition and has great defensive instincts. His motor and defensive instincts were the force behind USA’s game-saving block.

Team NYC

Isaiah Whitehead (Brooklyn, NY/Lincoln)

2014, PG, 6-4, 195

Whitehead is one of those guys that will almost definitely maximize his ability simply because a) he plays basketball all day, every day and b) he hates to lose more than anything—and probably anybody—else. No matter who’s matched up against him, Isaiah will compete his butt off—we saw him go at it with Archie Goodwin last year, and Andrew Harrison this year.

Whitehead has a strong handle and is a good scorer, but needs to improve as a facilitator to take his game to the next level. Right now, he can create his own shot, but needs work on creating opportunities for his teammates. He has a trademark Brooklyn swagger that fuels his competitive motor, and he can deftly finish through in the lane. But over the course of the next two years, he needs to work on his “point guard” skills. If he gets those skills in order, he’ll be among the country’s best players.

Chris McCullough (New York/Salisbury School)

2014, PF, 6-9, 210

McCullough is a physical specimen. He’s raw as hell right now, as he needs to develop his frame and a back-to-the-basket/face-up game, but his athletic abilities are jaw-dropping. He doesn’t go to the rim; he goes at the rim, trying to punish everything in his path. He had several near-seizure-inducing dunk attempts that left me in awe. What he needs to do next is channel his athleticism and develop an offensive repertoire to take his game to the next level. As we’ve seen in the past, that’s much easier said than done, but the rising junior has time to bring it all together.

Kuran Iverson (Windsor, CT/Fishburne Military School)

2013, SF, 6-8, 200

Iverson is one of the most versatile players in the country, as he can play and defend positions 2 through 4. He has guard skills on the perimeter and can do damage below the foul line, scoring on floaters, put-backs, 15-footers and the like. He showed why he’s one of the fastest rising prospects in his class. At 6-8, he oozes with potential. When he’s on, his size and skill set make him nearly unstoppable. The next challenge for him is to perform at a high level on a consistent basis.

Jermaine Lawrence (Springfield Gardens, NY/Pope John XXIII HS)

2013, SF/PF, 6-8, 190

Lawrence was one of the most intriguing players at the event. He reminded me of a young Antawn Jamison, equipped with a certain fluidity to his game and an inside-outside, pick-you-apart approach. Lawrence excels both on the perimeter and down low. He gets head-level with the rim, and runs the court in a smooth-yet-very-fast manner. He can catch-and-shoot, play both positions on the pick and roll, and use his jumping ability/height to collect rebounds in traffic. Rebounding totals weren’t recorded, but Lawrence easily finished with a double-double. Half-court, in transition, playing with or without the ball in his hands, playing guard or forward, it never mattered—Lawrence seamlessly fit in.

SLAM’s High School Diarists, along with big man Derrick Griffin, kept the crowd on the edge of its seat during the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, FL. Andrew and Aaron shined bright during the national TV broadcast, reeling off plenty of lobs to Griffin (who’s verbally committed to Texas A&M as a wide receiver). The fans certainly were entertained… and so will you. Just peep the video above, courtesy of BallisLife.

The first 12 players selected to participate in the seventh annual Under Armour Elite 24 event have been announced.

Featuring 24 of the top high school basketball players from across the nation, the Under Armour Elite 24 participants are selected based on their performance during AAU tournaments and national summer camps by ESPN high school basketball experts.

The 2012 Under Armour Elite 24 will be held at the Venice Beach Courts in Los Angeles August 24-25. The game airs live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET August 25, while the slam dunk contest will air August 24 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Forward and 2011 event alum Julius Randle, ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 100, headlines the list along with first-time participant Andrew Wiggins, ranked No. 1 in the ESPN 60. Randle, of Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, TX) and the Team Texas Titans AAU program, is a top ’12-13 National Player of the Year candidate. Wiggins, who played at Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV) last season and recently led CIA Bounce to the Nike Peach Jam finals, is a native of Canada.

Other event veterans include Nate Britt II, who participates in AAU ball with the DC Assault and will spend his senior season at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA); twin brothers Andrew and Aaron Harrison of Travis (Richmond, TX) and the Houston Defenders AAU club; and Aquille Carr, who preps at Patterson (Baltimore, MD) and was a standout this summer for B’more Finest.

Britt had 6 points and 2 steals for the victorious Marques Johnson club last year. The Harrison twins combined for 22 points and 8 assists for Marques Johnson, while Carr was co-MVP for the Raymond Lewis club with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and an event-record 4 steals.

The second dozen players, roster of teams and dunk contest participants will be announced in early August.

The 1st Annual “Big Strick Classic” Memorial high school basketball game will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Nat Holman Gym at City College on 138th Street and Convent Avenue in Manhattan, New York. The game is a memorial to legendary streetball player John “Franchise” Strickland, featuring some of the top high school players from around the country, as Team USA, against the top players from the Tri-State area, as Team New York.

Admission to the game is free and open to the public. There will be free giveaways for fans. The game is sponsored by Bounce Apparel, Left Hand, Right Hand, LLC., The Rock Basketball, Stack Media and SLAM Magazine.

First, the players will be at Monsignor Kett Park, better known as Dyckman Park, starting at 12 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2012, for a workout and press day which will be open to the public. The night of Friday, August 10, 2012, the players will scrimmage at Dyckman Park (previously undisclosed) starting at 6 p.m. The atmosphere will be electric at the No. 1 streetball park in New York City, with the SLAM-sponsered Dunk Contest taking place after the scrimmage.

On Saturday, August 11, 2012, before the game the players will be treated to a tour of New York City. Then they will head up to City College. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the admission is free. The players will also participate in a 3-point shootout sponsored by The Rock Basketball and Anaconda Sports.

The Big Strick Classic gives the New York area basketball fan a chance to see these up-and-coming stars in person. Where were you when LeBron played against Lenny Cooke? Big Strick is bringing the players to you.

SLAMonline recently previewed the event, and today we received some additional information regarding the rosters of both teams, which you can find below.

THE BIG STRICK CLASSIC

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2012 @ Nat Holman Gym @ City College @ 138th St. and Convent Ave. in Manhattan, New York

FREE ADMISSION

Doors open @ 5:30, Game starts @ 6 PM

Updated Rosters

USA

Tyler Ennis

Aaron Harrison Jr.

Andrew Harrison

Marcus LoVett Jr.

Malik Price-Martin

Robert Hubbs

Andrew Wiggins

Jordan Mickey

Jalen Lindsey (Newly Added)

Kevaugh Allen (Newly Added)

Greg McClinton (Newly Added)

Kadeem Lattin (Newly Added)

Kuran Iverson (Newly Added)

Coaches: Aaron Harrison Sr. & Tony McIntyre

NYC

Noah Vonleh

Troy Williams

Anthony Barber

Jarred Terrell

Terrence Samuels

Isaiah Whitehead

Jaron Sina

Emmanuel Mudiay

Chris McCullough

Adonis DelaRosa (Newly Added)

Isaiah Lewis (Newly Added)

Jordan Washington (Newly Added)

Coaches: Dwayne “Tiny” Morton & Dave Britton

Dakari Johnson and Sindarius Thornwell dropped out due to injuries.

Jabari Bird dropped out due to a scheduling conflict.

Player Selection Criteria: Players were selected using the average aggregate rankings, from the following rating authorities:

Rivals, ESPN, SLAM, Max Preps, Five-Star and Scout.com

We also looked at:

— Performance in a player’s High School Season and in AAU games

— Character and Sportsmanship

— The excitement level of a player, or what we call the “Strick Factor”

The format for this year’s AAU Super Showcase and Nationals features structural bracket changes from previous ones. The winner for the Super Showcase’s gold division (the bracket that features the top AAU teams and mostly top ranked players) receives an automatic bid to the AAU 11th grade Division I final four, where they would go up against the three other finalists from the Nationals Division I bracket, a division that also features talented players but not necessarily the cream of the crop as the Super Showcase Gold bracket does.

With Jabari Parker out nursing an injury and Andrew Wiggins not partaking in any events during this final recruiting live period, Julius Randle and the Harrison twins are the most highly touted players that are currently playing in grassroots basketball right now—and they all happen to be in Orlando this week.

Houston Defenders (4-0)

The Harrison-twins opened up the event against the Boo Williams Summer League team, which features nationally ranked Anthony Barber, Allerik Freeman and Troy Williams. The Harrison twins brought their A-game, with Andrew playing terrific defense and using his quick hands for deflections and flicks, generating steals or forcing turnovers with his suffocating on-ball defense while showcasing his court vision, passing skills and overall great point guard attributes, while Aaron once again proved that scoring just comes naturally to him. He was sinking shots from distance and breaking down the defense on his way to the rim. But it was Texas A&M-commit Derrick Griffin that stole the show with his freakish athleticism and highlight reel dunks. Griffin, a 6-6 small forward who actually committed to Texas A&M for football but is expected to play basketball as well, did a great job getting down the floor and positioning for high-percentage field goals. It also didn’t hurt that he happens to be playing with the top point guard in the country in Andrew Harrison. Andrew lobbed at least three alley-oops to Griffin, with the last one being a reverse dunk finish for the future Aggie. Aaron also threw one up in the air for Griffin to hammer down. In all, Griffin finished with seven dunks—five in the first half alone. Griffin and Aaron both finished with 21 points each, while Andrew was tallied up for four points, but although there wasn’t an official stat kept for assists at the scorer’s table, he must have reached double-digits in dimes being that I counted about six just between him and Griffin alone.

Texas Titans (4-1)

The Texas Titans, who feature the second ranked player in the nation, Julius Randle, along with sharp-shooter Matt Jones, and center standout Damian Jones, haven’t really been as dominant as they would like but have still managed to take care of business thus far. The Titans opened up against Each 1 Teach 1 Elite, which features Florida’s top point guard Joel Berry, along with Christopher Perry and Dakari Johnson (who is still out with a knee injury). Randle was doubled and even tripled-team at times when driving towards the paint. He was really taking a beating (or a “full-body massage” as one college coach described it) and was getting to the free throw line often. Although his shot wasn’t falling in this night, we did witness the amount of ferocious strength he possesses, as on numerous occasions he hit shots in the paint with two or three guys on him, while drawing the foul and getting to the line for a three-point play. Dare I say that every time he drives to the hole, his explosiveness and power resembles LeBron James? Cause it certainly does. Plus, he can handle the rock at the perimeter and put the ball on the floor with a variety of moves to shake defenders off him. Matt Jones, on the other hand, continued to showcase his smooth shooting touch.

On Saturday afternoon, a great Texas-rival match-up will take place when the Houston Defenders and the Texas Titans clash in the second round of the Super Showcase Gold division playoff bracket.

E1T1 Elite (4-0)

Joel Berry stole the spotlight from Randle, when they faced off with his stupendous play. He is a very smart point guard that always keeps defenders on their toes. Berry was a great floor general and made the right passes at the right time. When no one is open he has little trouble creating shots for himself—whether it’s putting the ball on the floor and making room for a shot or penetrating the defense on his way to the rim. Berry finished that game with 15 points and in control from start, as E1T1 cruised to a 72-53 win.

Georgia Stars (4-1)

Tadric Jackson quickly became one of my favorite players to watch with his savvy style of play. The first game I saw him play was against the Albany City Rocks. On the open floor, Jackson knows how to find the open man and thread the needle. He did a great job with his timely bounce passes to cutters and recognizing open teammates on the weak side of the floor. He elevates off the ground in a hurry and has range well beyond the perimeter. Only a rising junior, Jackson has upside. Jackson’s teammate and also a member of the 2014 class, Jalen Lindsey demonstrated a knack for setting up and letting it go from behind the perimeter.

Jarquez Smith, a senior, was really doing his thing when the GA Stars played the Baltimore Stars. He demonstrated some nice post moves, as well as a shooting stroke. He had three blocks in a matter of minutes, with impressively timed jumps. Overall, Smith showed great versatility in his repertoire. Delano Spencer, was another who demonstrated a knack for scoring—whether it was from distance or getting to the rack.

When you’re a consensus top-five player in the country—with your choice of colleges lined up for your services—you wouldn’t be blamed for sitting out with an injury during a game on the club circuit in July.

But Andrew Harrison doesn’t roll like that.

After coming down hard on his tailbone Friday trying to take a charge, the 6-5 point guard played Saturday and Sunday in the Under Armour Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports, despite being clearly hobbled.

“We’re real competitive and we hate to lose. We don’t make excuses and that’s something our dad helped instill in us,” said Andrew, the Houston Defenders’ primary ball-handler.

Coached by Aaron Harrison Sr, Andrew and his identical twin brother Aaron—also ranked in the top five by Scout—helped guide the Defenders all the way to the semifinals Sunday before losing to the Illinois Wolves.

Andrew and Aaron, who will be playing collegiately together—most likely at Kentucky, Maryland, Baylor, Villanova, Texas or SMU—have been on the national radar for quite some time thanks to their size, athleticism and ability to excel at both guard spots. But it hasn’t always been like that.

“When we were younger we weren’t the best players on our team,” said Aaron, who plays off the ball with the Defenders. “So we were just happy to play. We went to the gym with my dad a lot and just always worked hard so this is how it turned out.

“It’s a dream come true, really. Everybody wants to be the best. We just have to keep working hard and see what happens.”

Their talents were on full display in Milwaukee at the Summer Jam, which went from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday evening. Aaron was dialed in from three-point land the entire tournament, and buried six against Full Package Elite (IL) in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.

The Travis (TX) High standouts also had a seemingly innate ability to control the tempo of any game they played against some of the country’s best teams. Their competitiveness has fueled their work in practice and enabled them to become uniquely talented guards.

“We’ve been working since we were 6,” Aaron said. “It’s all in your mind. You just have to know how to control the game and be confident. That’s pretty much it.”

According to Andrew, the brothers have never been on opposite teams—not even at camps. But while they naturally enjoy each other’s company, they both enjoy spending time with their summer teammates, traveling the country to places like Milwaukee.

“This was my first time and we went to the movies yesterday,” Andrew said. “[Milwaukee] is pretty fun. It’s almost like Houston. I just like hanging with my teammates. We’ve been like brothers because we’ve been together since like fourth grade. We know each other and have each other’s backs no matter what.”

“It’s fun,” Aaron said. “AAU is really about bragging rights and showing who’s the best. We come out here every day and try to prove to every single person that we’re the best players in the country.”

While similar in appearance, court demeanor, future college destination and female artist preference (Nicki Minaj over Rihanna), the two have some basketball-relevant differences.

“He gets in the paint whenever he wants,” Aaron said. “I’ve never seen anybody really just take the ball from him. He’s stronger than I am too.”

Along with the Harrisons, Johnathan Motley (6-9, North Shore High School, Class of 2014), Wesley Iwundu (6-7, Westfield High School, Class of 2013) and Derrick Griffin (6-6, Terry High School, Class of 2013) are crucial to the Houston Defenders’ success.

Griffin was on the receiving end of alley-oops from the Harrisons all tournament and dunked the ball with ferocity every time. He displayed relentlessness in the paint, and a football player’s mentality on the basketball court.

His nasty disposition on the hardwood shouldn’t come as a surprise because he is verbally committed to Texas A&M as a wide receiver—and ranked as a five-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Unlike his Defenders teammates, Griffin has to decide how many sports he wants to play in college.

“I want to try it,” Griffin said. “But one of them isn’t going to work out, and whatever one doesn’t work out I’ll do the other. I use football to my advantage [on the basketball court]. Just throw it up and I’m going to go and get it, then just dunk it.”

As basketball-playing twins who happen to be two of the best high school seniors in the nation, Aaron and Andrew Harrison have already heard every question there is about being basketball-playing twins.

Who’s older? (Aaron, by about a minute.) Are they the same size? (Andrew weighs a few pounds more, but Aaron stands about half an inch taller.) Do they like all the same things? (Not exactly, but they have enough in common that they still share a bedroom.) Are they hyper-competitive with each other? On that one, Aaron is blunt. “We don’t really think of it as going against each other,” he says. “We think of it as us against everyone else.”

With that in mind, here are the vital stats on what might well be the best college backcourt in the nation in 2013-14: Aaron is a 6-5½, 205-pound shooting guard, Andrew a 6-5, 210-pound point guard. Both star at Travis (TX) High School, just outside Houston, and both are ranked among the top-10 players in the class of 2013, with Andrew generally slotted a few spots ahead of the very-slightly older Aaron. And yes, they will play their college ball together. Running side by side is the reason they’ve gotten this far. Why would they change that now?

“Having each other,” says their father, Aaron Sr, “has probably been the most beneficial thing in their development.”

It’s hard to argue. Both first starred in football—Aaron in particular had the makings of a DI quarterback—but as they outgrew their gridiron peers, concentrating on hoops just seemed to make more sense. And so they did, blossoming in tandem into two of the best prospects in their class. They’re not particularly talkative with reporters (although their dad swears that changes when they’re around their friends), but if you ask each about the other, you can get a sense of where they see each other’s game.

Aaron, the elder, on Andrew: “He plays like a Deron Williams or Chris Paul—sets up the team, runs the team, tells everybody where to go.”

Andrew, the younger, on Aaron: “It’s hard to compare, but he reminds me a little bit of Dwyane Wade, or maybe even Kobe.”

Both agree that they have each other to thank for their success, and as stated, the sibling rivalry seems not to be an issue. They test each other, no doubt, but that’s about working out together, not banging heads. “They played a lot of one-on-one in the backyard when they were younger,” Aaron Sr says. “But in recent years, they’ve just been happy for each other. Andrew is always ranked higher, but Aaron won MVP at their high school this year. They’re happy for each other. And they want to go to the same school.”

The brothers’ prerequisite means some lucky coach will sign an immediate starting backcourt, likely in the next few months. The Harrisons say they don’t want their recruiting process to drag out, leaving Baylor, Kentucky, Maryland, Villanova and the darkhorse, Larry Brown-coached SMU, to count the days until the twins make a decision. Unless…could they even imagine a scenario where they don’t settle on the same school? “Nah,” Andrew says. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

The AAU season is currently in full swing, with tournaments, skills camps and events held every weekend. The July evaluation period has reached a fever pitch, as college coaches are relentlessly scouting, calling and texting recruits. We are now at the midpoint of the evaluation period, and in two weeks the commotion will subside, coaches will descend back into captivity and players will finish off their summer seasons.

Most recruits won’t be heard from until, at the earliest, the fall. But then there’s the other guys, the ones who’ll be playing in the Big Strick Classic.

Organized by Left Hand, Right Hand, LLC. and Bobby Bates, the Big Strick Classic is a hoops-filled weekend in New York City culminating in a super-competitive all-star game, pitting the best high school players from around the country—Team USA—against the best players from the tri-state area—Team New York. The game is dedicated in memory of its namesake, the late John “Big Strick” Strickland.

Players from last year’s event who will be on a college campus this fall include Kyle Anderson (UCLA), Omar Calhoun (UCONN), Daniel Dingle (Temple), Savon Goodman (UNLV), Nkereuwem Okoro (Iowa State) and Daiquan Walker (UCF) for Team NYC. Archie Goodwin (Kentucky), Shaquille Goodwin (Memphis) and Martavious Newby (Ole Miss) for Team USA.

Last year’s event was one of the most memorable weekends of basketball I’ve ever been a part of. Tons of talent and tons of win at any cost attitudes, with New York besting USA, 146-138.

This year, the event will reach a new, unprecedented level of publicity, talent and competitiveness. There’s three returnees: Isaiah Whitehead and Chris McCullough for Team New York, Malik Price-Martin for Team USA.

While the event may be recognized as an “all-star” game—and sure, the talent level does warrant that label—make no mistake about it: reputations and bragging rights are on the line. Last year, Archie Goodwin and then-rising sophomore Isaiah Whitehead got into a heated battle, resulting in six or seven back-and-forth, crowd-going-bonkers possessions. This year should be no different.

The game will be held on Saturday, August 11, at Nat Holman Gym in Manhattan at 5:30 p.m. First, the players will be at Rucker Park during the afternoon of Friday, August 10, for a workout and media appearances, both open to the pubic. Friday night, the players will scrimmage at a secret location in Harlem, which will be revealed two weeks before the game. And on Saturday afternoon the main event will commence.

With that backdrop in mind, let’s breakdown the players on each roster.

Team New York

Coaches: Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Dave Britton

Isaiah Whitehead (Brooklyn, NY/Lincoln)

2014, PG, 6-4, 195

Whitehead is a lengthy, athletic combo guard with a high motor and next-level competitiveness, which some would say is the “Brooklyn” in him. He has the size to defend both guard positions, and can play the game at his desired pace, which is a precocious skill at this age and something college coaches covet.

As a rising sophomore last year, he gave Kentucky-bound Archie Goodwin a solid run. Goodwin finished with 46 points, but only a few of those points were scored on Isaiah. Isaiah finished with 16 points, had a number of assists, very few (if any) turnovers, and played with noticeable poise throughout the game.

Playing for renowned high school coach Tiny Morton, Whitehead has endured the inevitable comparisons to former Lincoln guards Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson. He possesses the requisite Brooklynite never back down mentality, but unlike his predecessors, Whitehead is not much of a talker. He’s calm and collected, and has a calculated maturity, carrying himself in an even-keeled manner regardless if he’s up or down 20 points.

Isaiah already has numerous scholarship offers, including Florida, Georgetown, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and others. But the Big Dog is also watching his every move; Whitehead spoke with Kentucky coach John Calipari earlier this month, and if his strong play continues, an offer will be on its way.

Chris McCullough (New York/Salisbury School)

2014, PF, 6-9, 210

McCullough is a raw and athletic forward who has strong hands and a knack for attacking the boards. He’s undeveloped right now, as he needs to develop his frame and a back to the basket game, but his upside is appealing. McCullough has good instincts (help defense, weak-side shot blocking) and is a solid rebounder, but he could use more polish in the half court. He has a number of offers on his hands, including UCONN, Kansas, Louisville and others.

Dakari Johnson (New York/Montverde Academy)

2014, C, 6-10, 250

Johnson is a big boy. He has the body of a young DeMarcus Cousins, has strong hands and can rebound with any prospect in the country. Dakari isn’t the best athlete, but his size compensates well enough for his athletic shortcomings. Johnson followed coach Kevin Boyle from St. Patrick’s (NJ) to Montverde Academy (FL), and was required to sit out a year because of the transfer. During that time, he’s reportedly worked on his game and become quicker on his feet. If those reports are true, Johnson is both immovable in the paint and mobile in open space. Pretty scary, huh?

Dakari just finished his tour with Team USA’s 17U squad, where he showcased a 15-foot jumpshot in addition to the physicality he’s been known for. Arguably the best big man in his class, Johnson will hold offers from all the major programs.

Terrence Samuel (Brooklyn, NY/South Shore HS)

2013, PG, 6-3, 175

Samuel is another Brooklyn product. Standing at 6-3 and equipped with athleticism and a steady handle, he has the makings of a big-time recruit. But he has some flaws that must be addressed. As a point guard, he needs to improve his decision-making—knowing when to shoot and when to pass—and develop his jumpshot. An improved jumpshot will accentuate his already quick first step, size, and explosiveness.

Anthony Barber (Hampton, VA/Hampton HS)

2013, PG, 6-2, 165

With Anthony Barber, it starts and ends with speed. Not only is Barber sonic fast, but he’s one of those guys that’s quicker with the ball in his hands. Barber has the complete package of supreme physical tools and a very good skill set. He’s long, a blur in open space, jumps out of the gym, and has the same blazing speed laterally as he does vertically, making him a problem on the defensive end too. After a strong showing at the LeBron James Skills Academy, Barber proved he’s a top-3 point guard in the class of ’13.

Barber is a product of legendary AAU coach Boo Williams’ system. Williams, who has coached and mentored countless recruits on their path to the NBA, has said that Barber’s speed reminds him of another Hampton, VA, point guard he’s coached. “He has Allen Iverson quickness at times,” Williams recently told ESPN’s Dave Telep. I can’t wait to see how fast this kid is in person.

Noah Vonleh (Haverhill, MA/New Hampton School)

2014, PF, 6-9, 220

Vonleh is a scary talent. He’s 6-9 with a 7-4 wingspan. He has a legitimate handle, can shoot out to 3-point range, has a saucy face-up game, cleans the glass whenever he wants and finishes through contact using fundamentals and an extra burst of power.

If Andrew Wiggins didn’t exist, Vonleh could be the best player in his class. He plays both forward positions, which leaves the opposition in a conundrum. Put a smaller defender on him, and he’ll back him down or shoot over him. Put a big guy on him, and he’ll take him to the perimeter and perform surgery. He supposedly turned heads at the LBJ Skills Academy and this past weekend at the adidas Invitation in Indianapolis. Did I mention he’s only going to be a junior?

Troy Williams (Hampton, VA/Oak Hill Academy)

2013, SF, 6-6, 190

Troy is the nephew of the aforementioned Boo Williams. He’s an athletic freak who is very effective in open space, with throw-it-up and-I’ll-go-get-it ability. His jumpshot needs to be more consistent, and his handle is a bit suspect, but if he plays with a point guard who can run the show and get him the ball in his sweet spots, Williams is among the best players in the nation. This has been on display throughout his AAU career, playing alongside Anthony Barber. There’s a 50-50 chance the duo will be a packaged deal in college.

Jaren Sina (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Gill St. Bernard’s School)

2013, PG, 6-2, 175

Sina is the only player at the event who has officially announced where he’s playing college ball. The future Northwestern Wildcat has a near-perfect jumpshot that’s automatic from virtually anywhere on the court, both spot-up and off the dribble. Sina embodies the all-textbook-everything point guard—he won’t overpower you with athleticism or physical attributes, but he stays in command of the offense, delivers pinpoint passes, makes tough shots late in games, and mentally is always one step ahead of the other nine guys on the court. Sina has two of the most un-teachable skills: basketball IQ and intangibles. Great get by the Wildcats.

Emmanuel Mudiay (Arlington, TX/Grace Preparatory Academy)

2014, PG, 6-4, 190

Mudiay is one of the best natural scorers in the country. With a supreme physical build, the combo guard gets into the paint at will and finishes through contact in a Dwyane Wade/Dion Waiters/Tyreke Evans kind of way. He can take his man from the perimeter using either hand, and has a developing jumpshot. The operative word in that sentence is developing. If he can continue to do so, Mudiay, who already has offers from Kansas and Baylor, will have the rest of the nation’s elite programs at his disposal.

Jared Terrell (Weymouth, MA/New Hampton School)

2014, SG, 6-4, 225

Terrell is a versatile wing who can finish at the rim. He jumps high and maneuvers his way into the lane with great success. He a big guard, but at 6-4 his build won’t overpower shooting guards at the next level. To take the next step and become a complete threat, Terrell will need to hone his jumpshot and work on his handle. He has the time to iron out the kinks, though, and schools know this. He already has scholarships from most schools in the Big East.

Team USA

Coaches: Aaron Harrison, Tony Mclntyre

Andrew Wiggins (Toronto, Canada/Huntington Prep)

2014, SF, 6-7, 205

Wiggins is Canadian, but he’s more “USA” than “New York”, so the title is apropos here. He’s a tantalizing talent, and quite frankly, is on a different level than the rest of his ’14 peers right now. He can play and defend the 2, 3 or 4 position. He can shoot the 3-pointer, explode at the rim, break his man down or use the dribble drive pull-up, and finish and-one’s with ease. At this point, Wiggins is in a class of his own because he has the natural talent that separates the phenoms from the five-star recruits.

Jabari Bird (Richmond, CA/Salesian HS)

2013, SG, 6-6, 190

Bird’s name says it all—the dude flies. The most coveted wing player out West, Jabari has talent and raw skills, but he needs to refine his jumpshot, and sustain his energy over the course of a game in order to take the next step. Bird has every Pac-12 school on his tail.

Robert Hubbs (Newbern, TN/Dyer County HS)

2013, SG, 6-4, 180

Hubbs has great size, broad shoulders, and can shoot the ball. He is quick in open space and can finish over and around defenders. ESPN’s Dave Telep recently compared him to James Anderson, who was a scoring machine at Oklahoma State. Not too shabby.

Tyler Ennis (Ontario, Canada/St. Benedict’s Prep)

2013, PG, 6-2, 180

Ennis is a smart point guard with good size. He plays alongside Wiggins on the CIA Bounce, and while he’s not the greatest athlete, Ennis can explode in transition when he has the ball. His airtight handle and solid jumpshot have made him one of the best point guards in his class.

Andrew Harrison (Richmond, TX/Travis HS) 2013, PG, 6-5, 210

Aaron Harrison (Richmond, TX/Travis HS) 2013, SG, 6-5, 205

The Harrison Twins will be a packaged deal in college, forming the next great backcourt in college basketball. They have supreme talent, a confident swagger and a refreshing family over everything attitude. When observing Andrew, first look at his size. Then consider he can run an offense, get his teammates going, and get his own shots whenever he pleases. Aaron has the same build as his brother, and is a potent scorer as well. They both can score from anywhere on the court, with range beyond the 3-point line. Aaron is usually labeled a shooting guard, but he can also initiate offense, so I’ll chill with any labels until I see these guys in person.

Thornwell has good size and energy, and plays off those two attributes more than anything else right now. He needs to improve his jumpshot, though, so he can keep defenders honest. He has an abundance of ACC offers.

Jordan Mickey (Arlington, TX/Grace Prepatory Academy)

2013, PF, 6-7, 210

Mickey is teammates with Mudiay. He’s a great rebounder, has good instincts, and uses his athleticism well in transition. Like many power forwards in today’s stretch-4 era, Mickey needs to add strength. He also needs to develop a back to the basket game for when he’s matched against other players with equal length and athleticism. Mickey currently holds offers from most Big 12 schools.

Marcus Lovett, Jr (Burbank, CA/Providence HS)

2015, PG, 5-11, 155

The Lefty from California is the youngest player at the event. The rising sophomore has a steady handle and great speed. This will be a good experience for Lovett to compete with and alongside some of the best talent in the nation.

Malik Price-Martin (Miami, FL/Northeast HS)

2014, PF, 6-8, 195

At this point in time, Price-Martin does a little bit of everything at a “good” level, but none of his skills particularly stand out. That’s not the worst thing though, because he can contribute in a variety of ways. He has range out to the 3-point line, can drive the ball or operate in the post. He’s a versatile defender and good rebounder, too. His length and 7-foot wingspan make him a factor on defense as well. He needs to add strength to a relatively frail frame, but his upside is evident. Versatility alone has gotten him offers, and if he develops his skills and puts on some weight, he could break through.

The 1st Annual “Big Strick Classic” (formerly the “Franchise Classic”) Memorial high school basketball game will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Nat Holman Gym at City College on 138th Street and Convent Avenue in Manhattan, New York. The game is a memorial to the legendary streetball player John “Franchise” Strickland, featuring some of the top high school players from around the country, as the USA team, against the top players from the NYC Tri-state area as NYC team. We covered inaugural Franchise Class last summer, and this year looks to feature even more elite high school talent from across the country (and Canada).

Stay tuned for more coverage of the event on SLAMonline.com. For now, here is some info about the event, followed by the rosters for both teams, courtesy of our friends at BigStrickClassic.com:

The admission to the game is free and open to the public. There will be free giveaways for fans. This game is sponsored by Bounce Apparel, Left Hand, Right Hand, LLC., The Rock Basketball, Stack Media and SLAM Magazine.

First, the players will be at Rucker Park during the afternoon of Friday, August 10, 2012, for a workout and press day which will be open to the public. The night of Friday, August 10, 2012, the players will scrimmage at a secret location in Harlem, which will be revealed two weeks before the game. Also, former NBA All-Star Dale Davis has graciously accepted our invitation to “school” the players with his company Pro Players Holding, which will present multiple life skill training sessions thru innovative structures as it relates to health, wealth, lifestyle and culture from past to current athletes and how to manage your career. Lenny Cooke will also be there to tell the players his story. Other special guests to be announced!!!!

On Saturday, August 11, 2012, before the game the players will be treated to a tour of New York City earlier in the day. Then, they will head up to City College. The doors open at 5:30 PM and the admission is FREE. The players will also participate in a dunk contest sponsored by SLAM Magazine and a 3-point shootout sponsored by The Rock Basketball.

Remember Brand Jordan is gone, Elite 24 is gone. The Big Strick Classic gives the New York area basketball fan a chance to see these up and coming stars in person. Were you there when LeBron played against Lenny Cooke? We’re bringing the players to you, you don’t want to miss this event!! Just look at the rosters and you’ll see what we mean.

For more information, please visit: www.bigstrickclassic.com

Or contact Don Sparks 646-247-8100

The Big Strick Classic

Saturday, August 11I 2012 @ Nat HoIman Gym at City College at 138th Street and Convent Avenue in Manhattan, New York.

Free Admission. Doors open @ 5:30, Game starts @ 6 PM.

“Team New York” (10 Players). Two Weeks Before the Event we will add the rest of the roster.

Isaiah Whitehead—NYC—Class of 2014—G—#17 on Rivals

Chris McCullough—NYC—Class of 2014—PF—#6 on Max Preps

Dakari Johnson—NYC—Class of 2014—PF/C—#4 on Scout

Terrence Samuel—NYC—Class of 2013—G—#89 on Rivals

Anthony Barber—Virginia—Class of 2013—PG—#9 on Rivals

Noah Vonleh—Mass—Class of 2014—PF—#2 on Rivals

Troy Williams—Virginia—Class of 2013—F—#17 on Max Preps

Jaron Sina—NJ—Guard—Class of 2013—G—#47 on Max Preps

Emmanuel Mudiay—Texas—Class of 2014—G—#5 on Rivals

Jared Terrell—Mass—Class of 2014—G—#21 on Scout

Coaches: Dwayne “Tiny” Morton & Dave Britton

USA Players (10 players). Two Weeks Before the Event we will add the rest of the roster.

Andrew Wiggins–Canada—Class of 2014—SF—#1 on Rivals

Andrew Harrison–Texas—Class of 2013—PF—#3 on Rivals

Aaron Harrison—Texas—Class of 2013—SG—#4 on Rivals

Jabari Bird—California—Class of 2013—SG—#12 on Max Preps

Robert Hubbs—Tenn—Class of 2013—F—#11 on Rivals

Tyler Ennis—Canada—Class of 2013—G—#20 on Rivals

Sindarius Thornwell—Va—Class of 2013—G—#19 on Scout

Jordan Mickey—Texas—Class of 2013—PF—#21 on Scout

Marcus Lovett, Jr—California—Class of 2015—G—#5 on ESPN

Malik Price Martin—Florida—Class of 2013—PF—#59 on Rivals

Coaches: Aaron Harrison & Tony Mclntyre

Player Selection Criteria: Players were selected using the average aggregate rankings from the following rating authorities: Rivals, ESPN, Maxpreps, 5-Star and Scout.com.

We also looked at: Performance in a players High School Season and in AAU games, Character and sportsmanship, The excitement level of a player or what we call the “Strick Factor”.

Last weekend at the Mary Kline Classic event at the Pennington School in central New Jersey, SLAM was able to catch up with one of the best 2012 lead guards in the nation.

Ryan Arcidiacono, a 6-3 guard from Langhorne, PA, has distance for weeks combined with an extremely unselfish attitude and willingness to get his teammates involved on the hardwood. Just try to get him to talk about himself, and the guard smoothly transitions to what he really cares about—getting his teammates involved and winning games.

“As a point guard, if you’re a pass-first point guard, that’s everything you can dream for as a big man,” explained fellow Nova 2012 recruit, forward Daniel Ochefu. “I know that if he passes the ball to me in the paint I can always kick it back out and he’s going to knock down the three, so that’s always a good look right there.”

From the moment “Arch” steps on campus—particularly on the hardwood—he’s going to be a popular guy; continuing the tradition of having excellent floor generals at the Philadelphia school shouldn’t be a problem, and if attitude is any indication of how the team will do during his four years under Jay Wright, the Wildcats faithful should be in for some more exciting basketball.

SLAM: What do you think of the event?

Ryan Arcidiacono: It’s all for a good cause. It’s a shame that his mother died from cancer, but having Jessica talk, seeing all the players coming from Boston and everywhere, it’s a great event and a fun game.

SLAM: Are you doing any recruiting for Villanova?

RA: Ahh, I mean I’m trying to talk to a few guys here. I was really hoping for Allerik Freeman to be here, but I don’t think he’s here. That’s who coach told me to recruit because he came on an official visit with me, so I was hoping to talk to him. I’m definitely going to talk to some of these younger kids just to get Nova in their head and to get them thinking about it.

SLAM: I’m sure Jay Wright wouldn’t be too upset with you talking to Wayne Selden or Jermaine Lawrence and trying to get them to come…

RA: Absolutely not—any of these kids, I’m sure he wouldn’t be too mad, for sure.

SLAM: Talk about this summer—you have the Team USA U18 Camp that you’re headed to.

RA: June 4-12 I’m trying out for the USA team and if I make it then I get to go to Brazil. If I get cut then I’ll head to school in June and if I make the team then I’ll head to school in July.

SLAM: As a player, you don’t plan on getting cut…

RA: Nah, nah. I’m planning on making the team, but if for some reason I do get cut at least I have a scholarship to go play at Villanova. It’s kind of a win-win situation but you’d always like to make the team.

SLAM: Who’s your main competition over there. Who are you competing with for a spot?

RA: I’m not really sure who’s going to be there. I think James Robinson (DeMatha, MD), the Harrison twins—Andrew and Aaron (Fort Bend Travis, TX), Nate Britt (Gonzaga College Prep, MD) and a couple of other kids, too.

SLAM: Who is the best point guard that you’ve seen? Who is your top competition?

RA: There are so many kids that are out there—I mean, I’ve played against so many top kids in the whole country. There’s a level that everyone’s at, but it’s just a matter of who gets to the top and that’s what I’m trying to do. Some of the kids are really good. There is going to be some tough competition at the USA tryout.

SLAM: What are your goals for when you arrive at Villanova and beyond? I’m sure you’re striving to play in the NBA eventually.

RA: I just have to get to school first and do whatever Coach Wright needs me to do—just help win games. I’m not really worried about my stats or anything like that. I honestly just want to win games and get to the NCAA Tournament because that’s where magic happens.

RA: Absolutely. Just the way they play their guards—I’m really excited for this upcoming year, I’m excited for everything. We have a ton of solid big men – not as many guards this year—but I’m just excited to get out there and play and represent Villanova in the right way.

SLAM: They had a losing year this past year, so you guys have a little pressure on you heading into the season.

RA: Yeah, a little pressure! Everyone’s doubting us a little bit saying we’re not the best team in Philly, but we just have to go out there and try to prove it to everyone and hopefully have a better record than last year. We just need to improve as a team on and off the court.

SLAM: As a shooter, what percentages do you expect to shoot from the 3-point line, the free throw line, etc.?

RA: Hopefully I shoot really well—38 percent, 40 percent from three and maybe in like the 80s at the free throw line. I’m just hoping to lead the team. Whether it’s Tyrone Johnson or me or anyone else bringing the ball up the court, hopefully I can just get my teammates involved. I’m not really worried about what I shoot—I’m just hoping to get everybody involved.

SLAM: You don’t mess with Twitter or Facebook too much. Talk about why you don’t really utilize the social networking sites in this day and age when so many other players are using this stuff left and right.

RA: It was just never really my thing. I never really got into it, I don’t really want to get into it. I pretty much want it to be out of sight, out of mind. I want to get to Villanova, concentrate on my academics, do well in school and do well on the court.

SLAM: What about Philly cheesesteaks? If you don’t hit up Geno’s, which one do you hit up?

RA: I’m honestly never down in the city. There are great cheesesteaks everywhere in Philly, so around my way, it’s easy to get a good cheesesteak.

Andrew is the point guard; Aaron is the shooting guard. And Harrison twins from Travis (TX) High are taking it to the AAU circuit again. The 6-5 rising seniors will be heading to the same college, too. (They’re taking their time choosing between Kentucky, Maryland, Villanova and Baylor.) Here they are at the Next Level Baller Dallas Tournament, courtesy of BallisLife.

In suburban Chicago over the weekend, Under Armour, the apparel and shoe company who is making serious inroads into the world of basketball, held a combine style training event for some of the best HS players in the country. Dubbed ‘Grind Session,’ the event, in partnership with the famed IMG Academy in Florida, is the basketball translation of the combines the company has held in other sports for years.

Under Armour invited 52 of the best prep players in the country across three separate classes (2012, 2013, 2014) to Chicago, and the kids also got to train with and received inspiration from the company’s newest sneaker endorser, former University of Arizona standout and the No. 2 pick overall in this years draft, Derrick Williams. Players in attendance went through a series of testing, measurements and drill-like events that the company calls Combine 360. It is akin to what one might see while watching the NBA Draft combine held every year.

According to UA, “Grind Session is the newest initiative reflective of the brand’s long-standing commitment to grassroots basketball and helping young basketball players improve their performance.”

Unlike other shoe and apparel companies whose sole purpose at times is to push product, Under Armour’s sole commitment is to make athletes the best that they can be.

Says Ted Gladue, Senior Manager for Basketball at UA, “Ideally, the idea was to get the kids off the court and teach them how to think the game rather than continue to play. That was the overall premise of it. If it were up to me, they wouldn’t play at all, they would just go through drills. I think it’s a natural progression for where we are as a brand and it fits into what we’re doing.

“We sat down with a few skill development directors and asked them to develop a curriculum for us that we can put into our events along with our combine testing components. So we came up with ‘Combine, Drill, Ball’ as the tag line for the event and that’s what we’ll do moving forward.”

On Day 1 players went through measurements (height, weight), had their wingspans and reach charted along with their athleticism, vision, strength and flexibility tested. From there they were taken through a brief warm-up before they were taken through individual basketball skills such as post play and executing proper a step back in order to create separation from defenders, and this was just in the morning.

After a brief break for lunch along with an informational session by the NCSA and media interviews afterwards, players were allowed a bit of downtime which for many of them included playing Madden and NCAA Football ’12 on Xbox 360, if they so chose. But after lunch, it was back to business with the second half of the day primarily focused on the situational aspects of basketball, a brief practice with their individual teams and then games in the evening. By then, the players were spent but that was the underlying goal, to see how well they could perform under the pressure of fatigue.

The games were round robin style and after playing 20 minutes, players had to shuffle to another court to play their next contest. As you can expect after so much work being put in beforehand, play tended to be a bit sloppy at first. But once the spirit of competition kicked in, it was easy to tell why these are some of the best players in the land.

Day 2 was even more intense as it was shorter with even more testing and drills packed in. Players were taken through more combine events such as 10 and 20 yard sprints, agility tests, broad and vertical jumps, vertical leaps and 300 yard shuttle. After that, a brief warmup and once again, 2 more hours of games.

All of the players measurements and times in the combine event are posted on Under Armour’s combine testing site which can be found here.

Overall, it was a fantastic and well organized event with a premise than can be appreciated by any serious athlete whose main goal isn’t just to make it to the pros, but to work as hard as they can to be the best athlete out there which gives them an even greater advantage over competition and increases the likelihood of being a professional athlete someday.

Eric Ogbogu, who played collegiately at Maryland and spent 8 years in the NFL, is the Director of Grassroots Marketing and NFL Relations for the brand. He summed up Grind Session this way:

“Under Armour is a brand that was created by athletes, for athletes. And how we treat athletics at the youth level is important. We want to give these kids an experience that will help them take their game to the next level and not just with the products we sell, but with the product we put out there on the court or on the field.”

The championship game of the adidas Nations tournament featured a match-up between rising seniors and underclassmen, but Amile Jefferson wasn’t sleeping on the youngins. The talented wing from Friends Central High in Philly continued his string of solid performances at the tourney on Monday night, helping lead USA 2012 Blue to a 114-107 victory over USA 2013 Red.

“We played from behind in every game here, so I didn’t take them lightly,” says Jefferson, who dropped a game-high 24 points and added 12 rebounds. “I don’t think we were ahead at halftime in any of our games so I knew we were going to scrap it out at the end. In the second half we really got out in transition and stepped up our game.”

Monday night’s final, held at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Compton, was the fourth day of the event that featured 150 elite players from all over the world—players from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America attended. The US contingent fielded four total teams, two from the Class of 2012 and two from 2013.

In the final, the underclassmen played tough as they had throughout the event, led by Aaron and Andrew Harrison, a set of 6-5 twins from Richmond, TX. The pair combined for 34 points on 14-24 shooting, led by 20 points from Andrew. “The twins played really hard,” Jefferson says. “They are really strong guards.” Despite a solid contribution from Chris Walker—who chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds—the underclassmen couldn’t overcome the size and experience from the rising seniors. USA 2012 Blue outrebounded the young bucks 44-26 and guards Rodney Purvis and Kris Dunn controlled tempo, dropping 8 assists each.

Bigs Cameron Ridley and Andre Drummond helped clog the paint for the seniors and each dropped 12 points. Drummond graduated from high school this spring and is academically qualified to play college basketball next season but many believe he will return to his prep school for a post-graduate year in order to be eligible for the NBA Draft next summer—the rules under the last NBA collective bargaining agreement allowed players to enter the Draft if they are at least one year removed from their graduating high school class. Drummond would fit the criteria if the rule remains in place when/if a new CBA is signed and the 6-11, 265-pounder is expected to be a top pick in the Draft whenever he decides to go pro—NBAdraft.net currently has him as the top pick in their 2012 mock draft. “I’m having fun with it,” Drummond says of the rumors. “People come up to me and say, ‘I hear you’re going to this school.’ Everybody is guessing because nobody knows what I’m doing. There is a lot of speculation there.”

Drummond clearly has an NBA frame and a nice skill-set at this point in his career. It will be interesting to hear his decision, which most people believe will come on August 10.

3rd Place Game

The consolation game at adidas Nations featured the two other US squads, also matching up a group from the Class of 2012 against 2013. This was a decent game for one half with USA 2012 red pulling away after halftime for a 130-108 rout of USA 2013 Blue. The underclassmen had no answer for Xavier Johnson and Gabe York, who dominated. Johnson goes hard on every play on both ends of the floor and was a favorite of his coach, Mike Dunleavy Sr. At one point, I heard Dunleavy raving about Johnson, explaining to a friend that his squad never lost a quarter that he played in during the entire tournament. He finished with 28 points on 9-15 shooting. York—a 6-3 guard who has committed to Arizona—was getting loose on run outs and drives to the bucket. He racked up 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in an attacking style that was very reminiscent of former Wildcat Jerryd Bayless.

Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell also put together an impressive performance for the rising seniors. The 5-11 PG was the fastest player on the court and displayed a nice cerebral feel for the game, finishing with 14 points and 8 assists. Ferrell has committed to Indiana, much to the delight of L.A. Clippers guard Eric Gordon who was posted up in the front row. “He plays more of a true point guard, he sets people up and is very explosive,” Gordon says. “He likes to move around and is very edgy. That’s what you want from your point guard.”

Gordon was on hand to show support to his shoe brand and a couple kids from his hood. He says Ferrell and forward Jeremy Hollowell of Lawrence Central High (Indianapolis) practically grew up nearby. “I’ve known both of them since they were young-young,” he explains. “I’ve been paying close attention to them and I’m happy they’re going to Indiana. They will be program changers for sure.”

* Steven Adams—a 7-footer from New Zealand—made the biggest impact among International players. He put up a few monster games: 12 points and 20 rebounds on Day 1 and a monster 37-point, 18-rebound performance on Saturday against USA 2013 Red. The 18-year-old has played the game seriously for five years and has committed to Pitt, but has yet to qualify academically. “I thought they were a good college and they were the first one to offer me,” Adams says. “Jaime Dixon had a sent a scout out to see me when I first started to get alright-ish.”

* SLAM diarist Shabazz Muhammad and Baylor signee Isaiah Austin sat out of the final due to injury.